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enCopyright 2015 Wearable World Inc.http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rssTue, 03 Mar 2015 12:20:35 -0800The Biggest Social Media Moments That Got People Talking In 2013<!-- tml-version="2" --><p></p><div tml-image="ci01b280a300018266" tml-render-position="right" tml-render-size="medium"><figure><img src="http://a4.files.readwrite.com/image/upload/c_fill,cs_srgb,dpr_1.0,q_80,w_620/MTIyMzAxNTc2Mzg2NzQwODM4.jpg" /></figure></div><p><em><a href="http://readwrite.com/series/reflect#awesm=~orBM2KDpGD30M9">ReadWriteReflect </a>offers a look back at major technology trends, products and companies of the past year.</em></p><p>Astronaut selfies, national tragedies, invasions of privacy and heartwarming events all made our list for the most notable social media moments this year.&nbsp;</p><p>Social media is more prevalent now than ever before. Pew Internet reports that <a href="http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2013/Social-Media-Update/Main-Findings/73-of-online-adults-now-use-social-networking-sites.aspx">73 percent of all U.S. adult Internet users</a> have at least one social media account and while Facebook still remains the ubiquitous platform, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Instagram play a large part in launching viral content and communicating and documenting stories around world.</p><h2>Vine And The Rise Of Short Video</h2><p>In January, <a href="http://readwrite.com/2013/01/24/twitter-vine">Twitter launched Vine</a>, the six-second video application that became one of the most popular social apps of 2013. Vine was so successful, in fact, that <a href="http://readwrite.com/2013/08/07/instagram-saved-video-41">Instagram followed suit</a>—the video service on Instagram allows up to 15 seconds of footage.&nbsp;</p><p>Creative tweeters became enamored with the ability to have fun in six seconds and Vine became host to <a href="https://vine.co/v/bx9xuwgAnqF">video selfies</a>, <a href="https://vine.co/v/bwxPvE5I9lU">comedy sketches</a>&nbsp;and even a Presidential message.</p><h2>The Boston Marathon Bombing&nbsp;</h2><p>On April 15, Boston was wracked with tragedy. A bomb detonated at the Boston Marathon, <a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2013/04/23/number-injured-marathon-bombing-revised-downward/NRpaz5mmvGquP7KMA6XsIK/igraphic.html">killing four people and injuring over 260</a>. On the day of the event, and those that followed, the terrorist attack was discussed on the Internet non-stop, as people tweeted, posted and talked about the events that occurred.</p><p>The crisis was an unfortunate lesson for both the media and citizen journalists. In the rush to release real-time updates, <a href="http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/04/wrongly-accused-boston-bombing-suspects-sunil-tripathi.html">misinformation was abundant</a>. At one point, alleged suspects identified by Reddit and Twitter users were broadcast on multiple media outlets, but had absolutely nothing to do with the bombing. Our own mobile editor Dan Rowinski lives in the Boston area a couple blocks from the alleged bomber's house in Cambridge. During the Friday manhunt he used <a href="https://twitter.com/Dan_Rowinski/statuses/325231589766332416">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://plus.google.com/+DanRowinski/posts/F45Z1ujNDLL">Google+ to share his observations</a>&nbsp;on the ground.</p><h2>Astronauts Tweet Home</h2><p>This year our timelines were filled with pictures and video from outer space. Chris Hadfield, a multi-talented Canadian astronaut, became a popular Twitter celebrity for tweeting and blogging about his experiences aboard the International Space Station. Perhaps his most well-known feat was his <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaOC9danxNo">rendition of David Bowie’s “Space Oddity”</a>. He sang the 1970s rock ballad accompanied by his acoustic guitar.&nbsp;</p><p>The <a href="https://twitter.com/MarsCuriosity">Mars Curiosity Rover</a> continued its Twitter legacy by posting pictures from Mars, and NASA photos <a href="http://instagram.com/nasa">became an Instagram phenomenon</a> when it began posting insta-space photos this year. <a href="http://readwrite.com/2013/10/01/social-media-stem-programs-science-technology-math-nasa">Because of social media</a>, science and technology organizations are often trending on Twitter and Facebook, and thanks to the power of the Internet, space has gone viral.&nbsp;</p><p>And let’s not forget the <a href="http://instagram.com/p/ibm8g4IaKl/">most epic selfie of 2013</a>—taken from space.&nbsp;</p><h2>Government Data Requests</h2><p>This year, secrets spilled. Between <a href="http://readwrite.com/2013/07/03/prism-fallout-us-internet-companies-stained-by-intelligence-actions">PRISM and numerous NSA privacy scandals</a>, the U.S. government came under fire, not just from the public at large, but tech companies, too.</p><p>To help push for transparency, multiple technology companies including Facebook and Google published <a href="http://readwrite.com/2013/08/27/facebook-government-data-request-2013-jan-jun">global government data request information</a> for the first six months of 2013, detailing the number and type of government requests the companies have fielded. Unsurprisingly, the <a href="http://www.google.com/transparencyreport/userdatarequests/countries/">U.S. government led the way</a>, dwarfing the number of requests from other countries.&nbsp;</p><p>In an effort to quell surveillance initiatives, a group of high-profile tech companies issued a joint letter to the President and U.S. government last month <a href="http://readwrite.com/2013/12/09/us-reform-government-surveillance">asking for greater transparency and surveillance reform</a>.&nbsp;</p><h2>Twitter Goes Public&nbsp;</h2><p>The company announced its <a href="http://readwrite.com/2013/09/12/twitter-ipo-filing-confidential">IPO filing with a tweet</a>.</p><p>The social media platform built on 140 characters or less went public in November. The company priced its initial stock at $26 a share, but Twitter erupted on the market, fetching <a href="https://www.google.com/finance?q=NYSE:TWTR">as much as $74 a share</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>In the year leading up to its public entrance, <a href="http://readwrite.com/2013/11/04/twitter-in-2013-the-road-to-an-ipo">Twitter supercharged its efforts to make money</a>. From overhauling its messaging platform to putting images front and center, Twitter started to copy features from Facebook and Pinterest in an attempt to become more mainstream.&nbsp;</p><h2>Typhoon Haiyan Hits The Philippines&nbsp;</h2><p>People suffering as a result of the massive natural disaster that ravaged the Philippines in November drew support from millions of Facebook and Twitter users. More than 6,000 people died as a result of Tyhpoon Haiyan, and some survivors <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/alisonvingiano/survivors-of-typhoon-haiyan-share-photos-and-videos-of-devas">turned to social media for help</a>.</p><p>Survivors told their story through multimedia posted online, and as a result, the Internet stepped up to help. Celebrities <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/entertainment/celebrities-urge-twitter-followers-help-wake-typhoon-haiyan-2D11577483">implored followers to donate to the Red Cross</a>, and <a href="http://google.org/crisismap/a/gmail.com/TyphoonYolanda">Google’s Crisis Map</a> listed evacuation centers, crisis areas, and relief drop zone areas to detail relief efforts. &nbsp;</p><h2>#BatKid Takes Over San Francisco—And Twitter</h2><p>You probably saw the <a href="http://readwrite.com/2013/11/15/three-things-san-francisco-batkid-teaches-us-about-twitter">small but mighty caped crusader</a> save the streets of San Francisco. But you probably saw it on Facebook or Twitter. (Even the ReadWrite staff couldn’t get a first-hand look at BatKid, the streets were flooded with his supporters.)</p><p>In November, the Make-A-Wish Foundation granted five-year-old Miles his greatest wish: becoming a superhero. A boy’s wish turned out to become a national phenomenon; the small boy who had been battling Leukemia since he was a toddler became a hero to us all. Over 11,000 Bay Area volunteers turned up to help make his dream come true, and millions of supporters around the world voiced their support on social media.&nbsp;</p><h2>Selfie Became The Word Of The Year</h2><p>Thanks to front-facing cameras and the rise of Instagram, the word “selfie”, describing the headshot one takes of herself, was added to the Oxford English Dictionary and named the Word of the Year. In 2013, the frequency of the word “selfie” increased 17,000% since last year, an <a href="http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/press-releases/oxford-dictionaries-word-of-the-year-2013/">Oxford Dictionary report noted</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>While some of this year’s selfies were cringeworthy—like <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/tamlinmagee/2013/12/30/what-obamas-mandela-funeral-selfie-tells-us-about-the-web-in-2014/">President Obama’s ill-fated selfie</a> at Nelson Mandela’s memorial service—others inspired, showed character, <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/jessicamisener/the-most-important-selfies-of-2013">or just made us happy</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>Even Pope Francis got in on the action.</p><h2>Beyoncé’s Visual Album Launched Exclusively On iTunes</h2><p>The pop megastar released her album on the evening of December 13, <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2013/12/13/5206226/new-beyonce-album-exclusive-to-itunes">surprising fans everywhere</a>. What’s more—she released the visual album exclusively on iTunes for $15.99 without the option to download individual songs.</p><p>With music streaming services killing the need to purchase albums at record stores or through digital downloads, it can be tough for artists to release music and get fans to pay for it. Beyoncé bucked this trend, and provided all her songs and music videos complete with one download, for one price.&nbsp;</p><p>She announced the new record on Instagram, <a href="http://instagram.com/p/h2YFO6Pw1d">accompanied by a short video</a> with snippets of different music videos. Social media promptly freaked out as fans everywhere purchased the album, and the singer <a href="http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5839682/beyonce-surprise-album-sales-forecast-billboard-200-chart">sold over 80,000 copies</a> in just three hours.&nbsp;</p><h2>Doge. Such Impress.&nbsp;</h2><p>The Shiba-Inu meme, whose popularity <a href="http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/doge">can be attributed to Reddit</a>, spurred Comic Sans font and dog commentary across the Internet. This year Doge found favor with meme-creators, and the online community <a href="http://dogecoin.com/">spawned a virtual currency</a> in homage to the majestic creature.&nbsp;</p><p>Unfortunately, Doge became so famous that even politicians began creating their own Doge memes, <a href="http://www.dailydot.com/lol/doge-is-dead-long-live-doge/">effectively killing the cool-factor</a> of the Shiba pup. Of course, just because Doge went mainstream doesn’t mean he still can’t provide insightful commentary in the form of images and GIFs.&nbsp;</p><p>Did we miss your favorite social media moment of the year? Let us know in the comments!</p><p><em>Lead image <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dvids/10838198385/sizes/l/">via DVIDSHUB on Flickr</a>.</em></p>We’re taking a look at the most prominent hits on social media in 2013, and how they shaped the global conversation.http://readwrite.com/2013/12/31/the-top-social-media-moments-of-2013
http://readwrite.com/2013/12/31/the-top-social-media-moments-of-2013SocialTue, 31 Dec 2013 10:03:00 -0800Selena Larson10 Startups That Changed The Narrative In 2013<!-- tml-version="2" --><p></p><div tml-image="ci01b280a300018266" tml-render-position="right" tml-render-size="medium"><figure><img src="http://a4.files.readwrite.com/image/upload/c_fill,cs_srgb,dpr_1.0,q_80,w_620/MTIyMzAxNTc2Mzg2NzQwODM4.jpg" /></figure></div><p><em><a href="http://readwrite.com/series/reflect#awesm=~orfEvqjJnfi6bP">ReadWriteReflect</a> offers a look back at major technology trends, products and companies of the past year.</em></p><p>Real companies making real products that real people, you know, spend real money on. That's what ReadWrite predicted would be the <a href="http://readwrite.com/2013/01/01/2013-the-year-when-things-get-real-again#awesm=~orxudkGm1IzYqJ">hottest of hot startups in 2013</a> and, for the most part, we were right.</p><p>2013 showed us new hardware built by smaller companies for what seems like the first time in a long time. They were birthed from places like Kickstarter and delivered (almost) as promised. The Pebble smartwatch had its humble origins on the crowdfunding platform and so did the top startup on our list, Ouya. Leap Motion promised to change how we interact with computers and got off to a pretty good start in accomplishing that goal.&nbsp;</p><p>Snapchat may be a company with no revenue and an unrealistic valuation, but it is changing the way people think of messaging. This has power, even if it is another one of those smoke &amp; mirror San Francisco startups that ultimately dies off in a few years. Or it could be the next Facebook. Time will tell.</p><p>While there are certainly still products and services fetching big price tags with little to no revenue, the majority of companies in our year-end roundup are building products that will have an impact on how we think about technology. The hottest startups may not have been in enterprise and business-to-business channels (through companies like Parse, StackMob were acquired and Dropbox is growing like gangbusters), but the big business startup market performed well this year.</p><p>Startups abounded in every sector. Humanized robots are making headlines. Machine and home automation, 3D printing and "smart manufacturing" are all of a sudden popular. Hack stars making app development and learning to code easier are abundant. Evolution and innovation continue in 2013, unabated and unafraid.&nbsp;</p><p>Here's our list of 10 of the top small companies that helped define the ever burgeoning startup industry in 2013.</p><h2>Ouya</h2><p></p><div tml-image="ci01b280cfb0016d19" tml-render-position="right" tml-render-size="medium"><figure><img src="http://a3.files.readwrite.com/image/upload/c_fill,cs_srgb,dpr_1.0,q_80,w_620/MTIyMzAxNzY4MDQ5NzIxOTU4.jpg" /></figure></div><p><a href="https://www.ouya.tv/">Ouya</a> is an open source Android-based gaming platform that is looking to compete with PlayStation and Xbox. It was a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ouya/ouya-a-new-kind-of-video-game-console">Kickstarter success</a>, and the anything-goes game system appeals to gamers and developers alike.</p><p>As <a href="http://readwrite.com/2013/06/19/the-ouya-tiny-box-mixed-bag">Lauren Orsini pointed out</a> in her review this year, “Today’s gaming landscape is shrinking, filled with increasing DRM limits that keep us from fully owning the games and consoles we thought we bought.” Which makes the Ouya game system that gives players unlimited ability to hack and build software and games to their liking, a leg up on other gaming platforms.</p><h2>CyanogenMod</h2><p></p><div tml-image="ci01b281a8d0036d19" tml-render-position="right" tml-render-size="medium"><figure><img src="http://a2.files.readwrite.com/image/upload/c_fill,cs_srgb,dpr_1.0,q_80,w_620/MTIyMzAyNzAwODYyODYwNTY5.jpg" /></figure></div><p>The custom Android ROM company that has found favor with hackers and hobbyists is looking to become the next mobile operating system. <a href="http://www.cyanogenmod.org/">CyanogenMod</a> can reboot your Android’s OS, improving memory, features and the operation of the device. The company picked up $23 million in additional funding and now boasts over 11 million active users.&nbsp;</p><p>CyanogenMod is looking to become more mainstream and announced its <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2013/9/23/4762618/oppo-n1-announced-cyanogenmod-android-rotating-camera">first device partnership</a> earlier this year with Oppo, a Chinese hardware manufacturer.</p><h2>Unbounded Robotics</h2><p></p><div tml-image="ci01b27a18a0036d19" tml-render-position="right" tml-render-size="medium"><figure><img src="http://a2.files.readwrite.com/image/upload/c_fill,cs_srgb,dpr_1.0,q_80,w_620/MTIyMjk0Mzg0NzMyNDM5MTQy.jpg" /></figure></div><p><a href="http://unboundedrobotics.com/">Unbounded Robotics</a> is a spinoff of <a href="http://readwrite.com/2013/05/09/how-an-open-source-operating-system-jumpstarted-robotics-research">robotics studio Willow Garage</a>, makers of the PR2, which was, at its time, the country’s most sophisticated robot. Unbounded Robotics new UBR-1 (pronounced Uber One) is the latest and greatest of humanoid robots.</p><p>The one-armed robot <a href="http://readwrite.com/2013/10/21/robot-ubr-1-willow-garage">fetches a $35,000 price tag</a>, and in the world of robotics, is relatively inexpensive. Unbounded Robotics is paving the way of robotic development and the UBR-1 could be the granddaddy of your in-home future robot.&nbsp;</p><h2>Leap Motion</h2><p></p><div tml-image="ci01b281a940018266" tml-render-position="right" tml-render-size="medium"><figure><img src="http://a1.files.readwrite.com/image/upload/c_fill,cs_srgb,dpr_1.0,q_80,w_620/MTIyMzAyNzAyNDczNDczMzA1.jpg" /></figure></div><p><a href="https://www.leapmotion.com/">Leap Motion</a>, the device that lets you control a computer interface with hand gestures, is ideal for gaming and design and also lets you explore cities or the environment via Google Earth and other apps. The gadget is three inches long and plugs into your computer through its USB port.&nbsp;</p><p>The Leap Motion Controller tracks your hands and fingers, and is hypersensitive to movements including pinching, grasping and swiping. This year, the <a href="http://readwrite.com/2013/04/16/leap-motion-hp-hewlett-packard">company partnered with HP</a> and plans on embedding the motion-control technology on future HP devices. Leap Motion retails for $79.99, so it’s an inexpensive way to begin experimenting with gesture-controlled technologies.</p><h2>Snapchat</h2><p></p><div tml-image="ci01b2818570008266" tml-image-caption="Source: Snapchat" tml-render-position="right" tml-render-size="medium"><figure><img src="http://a2.files.readwrite.com/image/upload/c_fill,cs_srgb,dpr_1.0,q_80,w_620/MTIyMzAyNTQ4MTIzMDkxNTU4.jpg" /><figcaption>Source: Snapchat</figcaption></figure></div><p>The ephemeral messaging service launched itself into the hearts of teens everywhere and was, in large part, a driver of the competitive messaging trend. <a href="http://www.snapchat.com/">Snapchat</a> lets users send disappearing photos and videos to friends. However, the messages <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media-network/partner-zone-infosecurity/snapchat-photos-not-deleted-hidden">aren’t entirely deleted</a> from the server.&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://readwrite.com/2013/11/19/snapchat-at-3-billion-not-even-close">Snapchat made waves</a> earlier this year when the company reportedly rebuffed a $3 billion acquisition attempt from Facebook and $4 billion from Google. The public scoffed at the startup led by 23-year-old cofounder Evan Spiegel dismissing billion-dollar buyouts when his company has zero revenue, but with the <a href="http://readwrite.com/2013/12/20/snapchat-rivals-competitors">red-hot messaging market</a> growing in 2014, Snapchat might prove the naysayers wrong.</p><h2>IFTTT</h2><p></p><div tml-image="ci01b281a9c0026d19" tml-render-position="right" tml-render-size="medium"><figure><img src="http://a5.files.readwrite.com/image/upload/c_fill,cs_srgb,dpr_1.0,q_80,w_620/MTIyMzAyNzA0NjIwOTU2OTUz.jpg" /></figure></div><p>IFTTT=If This Then That. The service is a productivity tool that combines a variety of APIs to enable your online accounts to&nbsp;communicate with each other.&nbsp;<a href="https://ifttt.com">IFTTT</a>&nbsp;is built on channels—or different platforms and services that can send and receive triggers and actions—the if and then requests.&nbsp;</p><p>IFTTT users can create “recipes” that connect different channels; for instance, a recipe can save all your favorite&nbsp;<a href="https://ifttt.com/recipes/108658">tweets to Evernote</a>, email you every Instagram&nbsp;<a href="https://ifttt.com/recipes/134769">photo tagged</a>&nbsp;from a certain location, or&nbsp;<a href="https://ifttt.com/recipes/118192">turn on lights</a>&nbsp;in your home at sunset.&nbsp;</p><p>Right now IFTTT has 71 channels, but it’s likely the company will support hundreds connected services with open APIs soon.&nbsp;</p><h2>SmartThings</h2><p></p><div tml-image="ci01b280d9a0016d19" tml-render-position="right" tml-render-size="medium"><figure><img src="http://a5.files.readwrite.com/image/upload/c_fill,cs_srgb,w_620/MTIyMzAxODExMjY3NzU5Mzg1.png" /></figure></div><p>Readers who have been following our <a href="http://readwrite.com/series/home/">coverage of the connected home</a> might recognize <a href="http://smartthings.com/">SmartThings</a>. The home automation platform lets users control their homes from a mobile device. Whether it’s unlocking the door, turning on the lights, or setting a thermostat, SmartThings simplifies home automation.&nbsp;</p><p>The company has its roots in crowdfunding; it raised over <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/smartthings/smartthings-make-your-world-smarter">$1 million on Kickstarter</a> in 2012, more than four times its original goal. As more people begin to adopt connected home technologies, SmartThings, popular with early adopters, could become one of the leaders in its field.&nbsp;</p><h2>Homejoy</h2><p></p><div tml-image="ci01b281aa50036d19" tml-render-position="right" tml-render-size="medium"><figure><img src="http://a5.files.readwrite.com/image/upload/c_fill,cs_srgb,w_620/MTIyMzAyNzA3MzA1MzE2OTY2.png" /></figure></div><p>The affordable cleaning company provides house cleaning for just $20 an hour. <a href="https://www.homejoy.com/">Homejoy</a> is now in over 30 cities nationwide, and backs its services with a guarantee that if you’re not satisfied with the job, it will re-clean it for free.</p><p>The company <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2013/12/05/homejoy-38-m/">picked up $38 million</a> in Series B funding earlier this month, so it’s likely we’ll see Homejoy appear in more cities this year. While dusting and mopping might not be glamorous (<a href="http://readwrite.com/2013/05/29/forget-sexy-todays-startups-look-to-disrupt-the-mundane#awesm=~orxFUnt8cPFODv">we like non-traditional startups here at ReadWrite</a>), many people want an inexpensive cleaning service that prevents them from getting their own hands dirty.&nbsp;</p><h2>Coin</h2><p></p><div tml-image="ci01b281aad0016d19" tml-render-position="right" tml-render-size="medium"><figure><img src="http://a2.files.readwrite.com/image/upload/c_fill,cs_srgb,w_620/MTIyMzAyNzA5MTg0MzU5NzA1.png" /></figure></div><p>The controversial startup aims to simplify in-person transactions. <a href="https://onlycoin.com/">Coin</a> puts the information from all your credit cards into one digital credit card that has a button on the card to switch payment forms. The idea behind Coin is that people have too many credit cards that take up space in wallets and are often forgotten at home or in stores. Coin eliminates both problems by storing credit card information on the smart card and alerting users via push notifications that their Coin was left behind.&nbsp;</p><p>Some pundits have <a href="http://valleywag.gawker.com/hot-new-startup-no-one-needs-a-credit-card-for-your-cr-1465190687">dubbed Coin “vaporware”</a>, as the product is still in its development phase, but the company promises to start shipping the cards next summer. Coin is available to pre-order now for $100.&nbsp;</p><h2>Medium</h2><p></p><div tml-image="ci01b281ab30028266" tml-render-position="right" tml-render-size="medium"><figure><img src="http://a5.files.readwrite.com/image/upload/c_fill,cs_srgb,w_620/MTIyMzAyNzExMDYzNDA3ODk3.png" /></figure></div><p>Twitter cofounders Ev Williams and Biz Stone created another content distribution platform, this time letting users write more than 140 characters. <a href="http://medium.com">Medium</a>, the blogging site that got all the best online writers to forget about their personal blogs, became exceedingly popular this year. Originally an invite-only platform, Medium <a href="http://thenextweb.com/insider/2013/10/25/medium-quietly-opens-requires-twitter-join-chrome-firefox-safari-desktop-write/#!qmTLn">opened up to everyone</a> in October.&nbsp;</p><p>There is <a href="https://medium.com/writers-on-writing/c7cc156bc5d9">some controversy</a> over whether or not you own the content you write for Medium. But Ev Williams told ReadWrite that the company requires the right to display content, but it does not take ownership of what's published.</p><p>It will be interesting to see what the company does with the quality writing generated on Medium. Whether or not the company turns into a publication remains to be seen, but the high-quality content published on the site keeps me coming back.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Correction, Jan. 6, 2014:</strong></p><p><em>A previous version of this article incorrectly described Medium's treatment of copyright. It <a href="https://medium.com/policy/9db0094a1e0f">does not own the content</a> that you publish on the platform, but has the right to use it for as long as it is published on the site.</em></p><p></p><h2>Honorable Mentions</h2><ul><li><a href="https://getpebble.com/">Pebble</a> - The smartwatch that’s leading the wearable revolution.</li><li><a href="http://cir.ca">Circa</a> - Circa is taking news and current events and breaking it down into mobile, digestible chunks.&nbsp;</li><li><a href="http://freightfarms.com/">Freight Farms</a> - By using industrial freights to grow produce, FreightFarms is poised to bring sustainable agriculture to urban centers across the U.S.&nbsp;</li><li><a href="http://startupinstitute.com/">The Startup Institute</a> - The eight week program helps people build the skills necessary to work in an entrepreneurial business environment and, after graduation, helps students find jobs.</li><li><a href="http://littlebits.cc/">littleBits</a> - Tiny modules that can snap together, programmed to help people create and prototype engineering projects.&nbsp;</li></ul><p>What were the startups that interested you the most this year? Let us know in the comments!</p><p><em>Lead image by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mightyohm/7453205392/sizes/l/">mightyohm on Flickr</a>, CyanogenMod image via <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/johanl/4893436057/sizes/l/">johanl on Flickr</a>, Ouya photo via Lauren Orsini for ReadWrite, all other images provided by company mentioned.&nbsp;</em></p>We're taking a look at the most intriguing startups of 2013 that we will be paying attention to in the coming year.http://readwrite.com/2013/12/31/startups-2013
http://readwrite.com/2013/12/31/startups-2013StartTue, 31 Dec 2013 06:03:00 -0800Selena LarsonThe Most Important Apps That Shaped Mobile In 2013<!-- tml-version="2" --><p></p><div tml-image="ci01b280a300018266" tml-render-position="right" tml-render-size="medium"><figure><img src="http://a4.files.readwrite.com/image/upload/c_fill,cs_srgb,dpr_1.0,q_80,w_620/MTIyMzAxNTc2Mzg2NzQwODM4.jpg" /></figure></div><p><em><a href="http://readwrite.com/series/reflect#awesm=~orfEvqjJnfi6bP">ReadWriteReflect </a>offers a look back at major technology trends, products and companies of the past year.</em></p><p>As the explosive trajectory of smartphones adoption approaches an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asymptote">asymptote</a>, mobile apps are riding high. Once an unassuming term for a curious, smallish sort of phone program, the app is now king. It’s almost impossible to now imagine otherwise.</p><p>In this mobile-first era, apps make headlines, precipitate stock slumps and altogether define an industry that didn’t see them coming a mere six years ago when Apple released the App Store. Here is our list of the most important apps of 2013. These are not necessarily the fan favorites, but they were the headline drivers, movers and shakers that helped define the app economy in 2013 and beyond.</p><h2>1. Snapchat (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/snapchat/id447188370">iOS</a>/<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.snapchat.android&amp;hl=en">Android</a>)</h2><blockquote tml-render-position="right" tml-render-size="medium"><p><strong>See also:&nbsp;<a href="http://readwrite.com/2013/11/20/snapchat-perfect-app-visual-web-privacy-free#awesm=~orfH0MGS8FYh33">Why Snapchat Is The Perfect App At The Perfect Time</a></strong></p></blockquote><p>Love it or hate it (or love to hate it), Snapchat captured one of the mobile Web’s most fascinating pivots: the shift from archiving toward intentional ephemera. Snapchat forgoes Facebook’s reign of the cohesive narrative in favor of brief, chaotic social snapshots that literally self destruct. The app is enough of a threat (or a fascination) to have piqued<a href="http://readwrite.com/2013/11/19/snapchat-at-3-billion-not-even-close#awesm=~orfH24DY3j1wt2"> Facebook’s interest to the tune of $3 billion</a>, after all. Snapchat’s moment may fade as quickly as one of its frenetic missives, but 2013 will always be remembered for the rise of the Snap.</p><p></p><div tml-image="ci01b2816f80018266"><figure><img src="http://a3.files.readwrite.com/image/upload/c_fill,cs_srgb,dpr_1.0,q_80,w_620/MTIyMzAyNDU0NDM5MTExOTYx.jpg" /></figure></div><h2>2. Google Now (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google-search/id284815942?mt=8">iOS</a>/<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox&amp;hl=en">Android</a>)</h2><p>Comparing Google’s predictive data brain to Siri is to sell it short. Google Now had its humble beginnings on Android back in 2012 (the Google search team was working on it in 2011 as well), but in 2013 the service sneaked onto the iPhone through the Google Search app. With progressive updates, Google Now just gets better and better, serving up flight updates, package tracking info and local suggestions before you even know you need them. Google thinks that Now is going to be the future of search, delivering you information before you realize that you need it. Adding that capability to just about every smartphone could be pretty big.</p><p></p><div tml-image="ci01b281ad40018266"><figure><img src="http://a4.files.readwrite.com/image/upload/c_fill,cs_srgb,dpr_1.0,q_80,w_620/MTIyMzAyNzE5NjUzMzQyNDg5.jpg" /></figure></div><h2>3. Nike+ Move (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/nike+-move/id712498492?mt=8">iPhone 5S</a>)</h2><p>The tide of wearable devices is nowhere near its crest, but apps aren’t waiting around for hardware to catch up. Many mobile fitness mavens have already put the iPhone 5S’s M7 motion coprocessor to good use. For more casual use, Nike+ Move provides an excellent snapshot of your daily habits. The app counts “NikeFuel,” Nike’s own sort of fitness currency, rather than calories or steps, which makes it the perfect gateway app into fitness tech. More serious athletes should check out Strava Run, Nike+ Running, Argus, MyTracks by Google and RunKeeper to take it to the next level, no buggy wearable accessory required.</p><h2>4. Word Lens (<a href="http://blog.questvisual.com/post/67443954608/an-eye-towards-the-future-with-word-lens-theres">Google Glass</a>)</h2><p>Arguably the killer app for Google Glass, Word Lens translates foreign text into your native language right before your eyes—literally. For anyone brave enough to wear Glass on trips abroad, this app could revolutionize travel. (The rest of us can stick to<a href="http://questvisual.com/us/"> Word Lens for our smartphones</a>.)</p><h2>5. Vine (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/vine/id592447445?mt=8">iOS</a>/<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.vine.android">Android</a>)</h2><blockquote tml-render-position="right" tml-render-size="medium"><p><strong>See also:&nbsp;<a href="http://readwrite.com/2013/06/04/twitter-jack-dorsey-bay-bridge-video-app-vine#awesm=~orfJ0RuU4rks51">Twitter Cofounder Jack Dorsey Risks Life To Show Off Vine Video App</a></strong></p></blockquote><p>The buzz around <a href="http://readwrite.com/2013/01/24/twitter-vine#awesm=~orffx0i8Wc6UNO">Twitter’s micro-video app </a>didn’t last very long into the year, but Vine’s ultra-shareable 6-second micro-videos shook up the social app landscape nonetheless. It even <a href="http://readwrite.com/2013/06/19/instagram-video-facebook#awesm=~orfIH1hKcQfLyn">prompted Instagram to branch into video</a>, though we still think 15 seconds is 11 seconds too long.</p><p></p><div tml-image="ci01b281adb0018266"><figure><img src="http://a3.files.readwrite.com/image/upload/c_fill,cs_srgb,dpr_1.0,q_80,w_620/MTIyMzAyNzIxNTMyMzk2MTM0.jpg" /></figure></div><h2>6. Yahoo Weather (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/yahoo-weather/id628677149?mt=8">iOS</a>/<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.yahoo.mobile.client.android.weather">Android</a>)</h2><p>It might just be for checking the weather, but Yahoo’s reinvented app manages to encapsulate everything about the big Y!’s Mayer-era makeover. Bright, fluid and playful, it’s everything the old Yahoo’s mobile presence wasn’t. Remember back when Yahoo had literally <em><a href="http://readwrite.com/2013/02/12/yahoo-acquires-alike-location-startup-plans-to-cull-its-apps"> 70 different apps?</a></em>&nbsp;Yeah, those days are long gone.</p><h2>7. Uber (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/uber/id368677368?mt=8">iOS</a>/<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ubercab">Android</a>)</h2><p>Uber’s been around, but it really only exploded into proper verb territory this year. (“Are you going to Uber home later?”) Uber allows user to summon a private car directly to their location. Uber translates digital ease into three dimensions in a way that only truly disruptive technology can. As controversial as it is useful, Uber has battled city governments and unions across the United States ... and won. Uber is helping to change the definition of urban transportation. Its surge pricing is borderline scandalous and ReadWrite never got the <a href="http://blog.uber.com/ICanHasUberKITTENS">kitten it was promised</a>, but there’s no denying that Uber made major waves in 2013.</p><p></p><div tml-image="ci01b27a58b0028266" tml-render-size="large"><figure><img src="http://a3.files.readwrite.com/image/upload/c_fill,cs_srgb,dpr_1.0,q_80,w_620/MTIyMjk0NjU5ODc4OTA3MTYx.jpg" /></figure></div><h2>8. If This Then That [IFTTT] (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ifttt/id660944635?mt=8">iOS</a>, Android in the works)</h2><p>It might not be a household name (yet), but IFTTT is the multitool of mobile. A playground for productivity nerds, IFTTT invites users to craft simple formulas that text you when it’s about to rain, call you when the rent is due, back up your Instagram photos to Dropbox … and just about anything else you can think up.</p><h2>9. Badland (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/badland/id535176909?mt=8">iOS</a>/<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.frogmind.badland">Android</a>)</h2><p>Forget Candy Crush Saga and the Zyngaverse. Badland bucks the mindless, hyper-addictive model of generic mobile games in favor of an artful, strategic approach that oozes indie. Badland is a beautiful, brutal, exemplary entry that blows lesser minded games out of the water.</p><p></p><div tml-image="ci01b281ae10016d19" tml-render-size="large"><figure><img src="http://a1.files.readwrite.com/image/upload/c_fill,cs_srgb,dpr_1.0,q_80,w_620/MTIyMzAyNzIzMTQzMDAzNDE3.jpg" /></figure></div><h2>Honorable Mentions:</h2><p>These apps may not have stirred the pot in 2013, but they kept improving on their already excellent groundwork. The picks on this list kept up with the quick clip of mobile in 2013 without straying too far from what makes them great.</p><ul><li>Flipboard (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/flipboard-your-social-news/id358801284?mt=8">iOS</a>/<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=flipboard.app">Android</a>)</li><li>Zite (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/zite/id419752338?mt=8">iOS</a>/<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zite&amp;hl=en">Android</a>)</li><li>Instagram (<a href="http://search.itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZContentLink.woa/wa/link?path=apps%2finstagram">iOS</a>/<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.instagram.android">Android</a>/<a href="http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/instagram-beta/3222a126-7f20-4273-ab4a-161120b21aea">Windows Phone</a>)</li><li>Springpad (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/springpad/id360116898?mt=8">iOS</a>/<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.springpad">Android</a>)</li><li>Any.Do (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/any.do/id497328576?ls=1&amp;mt=8">iOS</a>/<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.anydo">Android</a>)</li><li>Foursquare (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/foursquare/id306934924">iOS</a>/<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.joelapenna.foursquared">Android</a>)</li><li>Lumosity (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lumosity-mobile/id577232024?mt=8">iOS</a>)</li><li>Rdio (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rdio/id335060889">iOS</a>/<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rdio.android.ui&amp;feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5yZGlvLmFuZHJvaWQudWkiXQ..">Android</a>)</li><li>Waze (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/waze-social-gps-traffic/id323229106?mt=8">iOS</a>/<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.waze">Android</a>/<a href="http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/waze/f07f83eb-a8a4-49fd-8946-c67a9349e062">Windows Phone</a>)</li><li>Spotify (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/spotify/id324684580">iOS</a>/<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.spotify.mobile.android.ui&amp;hl=en">Android</a>/<a href="http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/spotify/10f2995d-1f82-4203-b7fa-46ddbd07a6e6">Windows Phone</a>)</li></ul><p>Like any year-in-review list, ours is far from comprehensive. See something missing? Let us in on your killer app of 2013 in the comments.</p><p><em>Lead image: Nexus 5 by Dan Rowinski for ReadWrite</em></p>The apps that defined an industry.http://readwrite.com/2013/12/30/important-mobile-apps-2013
http://readwrite.com/2013/12/30/important-mobile-apps-2013MobileMon, 30 Dec 2013 05:02:00 -0800Taylor Hatmaker